Cold outreach still works when every touch is timely, relevant, and personal at scale.

AI now handles the heavy lifting. Prospecting, enrichment, message drafts, send-time optimization, and follow-ups that don’t sound robotic.

The result?Faster lead generation, higher reply rates, and cleaner pipelines without juggling five tools. Expect multichannel workflows (email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp), real context in messages, compliance guardrails, and analytics that show what actually moves meetings.

Below is a straight comparison of the market’s standout options, followed by a practical framework to choose the right stack for your team size, motion, and budget! ⚡

The top 3 AI Outreach Tools in 2026 are:

1. folk CRM

2. Apollo.io

3. Close CRM

11 Best AI Outreach Tools in 2026: The Ultimate List

Below are the 11 platforms to compare this year—covering multichannel outreach, AI drafting, enrichment, and pipeline impact.

1. folk CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Large sales teams, mid-size sales teams, startups, agencies, founders.

Overview

folk CRM is an AI workspace that brings outreach into the CRM. The folkX Chrome extension captures LinkedIn and Sales Navigator profiles in one click, enriches records, and creates clean contacts in structured pipelines. AI drafts icebreakers and follow-ups from real context, suggests next-best actions, and keeps Gmail/Outlook and WhatsApp touchpoints on a single timeline for smooth handoffs. Teams scale with sequences, deals, dashboards, and advanced roles on higher tiers.

Pros

• One-click LinkedIn/Sales Navigator capture with automatic enrichment
• AI icebreakers and follow-ups reviewed in-app; next-best-action guidance
• Unified timeline across Gmail/Outlook and WhatsApp for clear context
• Sequences, custom objects/deals, dashboards, and permissions for scale

Cons

• No perpetual free plan (free trial only)
• Sequences, dashboards, deals, and advanced roles on Premium

Pricing

• Standard: $20 per member/month billed yearly ($25 billed monthly)
• Premium: $40 per member/month billed yearly ($50 billed monthly)

👉 Try folk CRM for free

2. Apollo

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Outbound teams that want B2B data + sequences in one platform; startups to mid-market sales teams.

Overview

Apollo combines a large B2B contact database with built-in multichannel sequences. Apollo AI drafts subject lines, first lines, and follow-ups, and can analyze copy for clarity and tone. Native A/B testing, tasking, and a Chrome extension speed up prospecting. Advanced automation, dialer, and analytics sit on higher tiers.

Pros

• All-in-one: data, enrichment, and sequencing in one workspace
• AI email writer with analysis and suggestions inside sequences
• Solid A/B testing, rules, and task queues for SDR workflows
• Chrome extension to find and add prospects without tab-hopping

Cons

• Credit system and “unlimited” fair-use rules can be confusing
• Dialer and some automations require higher-tier plans
• Database-first model may need extra tools for deep account research

Pricing

• Free/Starter plan available
• Basic: from ~$59 per user/month (annual)
• Professional: from ~$99 per user/month (annual)
• Organization: from ~$149 per user/month (annual)
• Credits govern data exports, mobile reveals, and some actions; add-ons available

3. Salesloft

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Mid-market to enterprise outbound teams that need scale, governance, coaching, and forecasting.

Overview

Salesloft is a sales engagement platform built around three cores: Cadence for multichannel sequences, Conversations for call recording and AI coaching, and Deals for pipeline inspection and forecasting. Salesloft AI drafts and refines emails, summarizes calls, extracts next steps, and suggests follow-ups so reps keep momentum. Admins get granular roles, approvals, SSO, audit logs, and deep CRM integrations for clean data and compliance.

Pros

• Enterprise governance (roles, approvals, SSO, audit logs)
• AI assistance across emailing and call summaries with next steps
• Conversations CI for coaching; Deals for pipeline health and forecasting
• Native dialer, call coaching, and strong analytics for SDR/AE managers

Cons

• Higher total cost of ownership vs. SMB-focused tools
• Setup and governance can add complexity and admin time
• Heavy Salesforce-centric workflows may feel rigid for smaller teams

Pricing

• Package-based and custom (Cadence, Conversations, Deals sold standalone or bundled)
• Annual contracts with per-user pricing; add-ons for dialer/telephony and advanced features

4. Outreach

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Enterprise and upper mid-market teams that need governed, large-scale sequencing with coaching and forecasting.

Overview

Outreach is a sales engagement platform built for scale. Cadences orchestrate multichannel steps (email, calls, LinkedIn tasks) while AI drafts and refines copy, proposes next steps, and summarizes calls. Kaia conversation intelligence captures action items and risks; deal and forecasting views surface pipeline health for managers. Admin controls, audit trails, and deep CRM integrations support complex, global deployments.

Pros

• Robust governance (SSO, roles, approvals, audit logs) for large orgs
• Kaia AI for call summaries, next steps, and risk signals to coach reps
• Multichannel cadences with rules, throttles, and deliverability guardrails
• Deal/forecasting analytics align SDR, AE, and leadership on pipeline reality

Cons

• Higher total cost of ownership vs. SMB tools
• Setup, change management, and Salesforce-centric workflows add complexity
• Some features sit behind upper-tier packages or add-ons

Pricing

• Custom, package-based pricing (Engagement, Conversation Intelligence, Deal/Forecasting)
• Annual contracts; add-ons for dialer/telephony and advanced analytics

5. Reply.io

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

SMB to mid-market teams that want multichannel sequences with an AI writer, lightweight dialer, and task automation.

Overview

Reply.io focuses on building and scaling sequences across email, calls, and LinkedIn tasks. The AI assistant drafts subject lines, first lines, and follow-ups, and can rewrite for tone and length. Managers set rules, throttles, and A/B tests, while reps work from task queues and a Chrome extension for faster prospecting. A built-in dialer, basic intent signals, and reporting round out the outbound workflow.

Pros

• Multichannel sequencing (email, calls, LinkedIn tasks) with A/B testing
• AI writer for drafts, variations, and follow-ups inside cadences
• Native dialer, task queues, and a Chrome extension for speed

Cons

• Advanced governance and forecasting are limited vs. enterprise suites
• LinkedIn actions are mostly task-based; deep automation may require add-ons
• Deliverability and warmup often need separate tooling at high volumes

Pricing

• Free trial available
• Email plan: from ~$60 per user/month (annual)
• Multichannel plan: from ~$90–$120 per user/month (annual)
• Higher tiers add advanced automations, dialer minutes, and extras

6. Lemlist

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Teams that want strong deliverability, multichannel steps, and visual personalization without enterprise complexity.

Overview

Lemlist centers outreach on deliverability, personalization, and scale. The platform builds sequences across email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and calls, while LemAI helps draft messages and tailor first lines. Built-in lemwarm improves sender reputation, and the Chrome extension speeds list-building. Admins control sending limits, rules, and basic governance so campaigns stay compliant as volumes rise.

Pros

• Deliverability tooling (lemwarm, health checks, sending limits)
• AI-assisted drafting and dynamic personalization (text and visuals)
• Multichannel steps with LinkedIn tasks and optional WhatsApp add-on

Cons

• Advanced conditions and some channels sit on higher tiers
• Deep governance and forecasting are lighter than enterprise suites
• Extra mailboxes add per-email costs

Pricing

• Email Pro: $69 per user/month (includes unlimited email follow-ups; 3 sending emails per user; extra mailboxes ~$9 each)
• Multichannel Expert: $99 per user/month (adds LinkedIn automation, advanced conditions; WhatsApp add-on ~$20 per seat)
• Enterprise: custom (higher limits and controls)

7. Instantly

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Agencies and outbound teams that need high-volume cold email with inbox rotation and deliverability tooling.

Overview

Instantly focuses on sending scale without wrecking sender reputation. The platform connects many mailboxes, rotates them automatically, and maintains warmup to keep domains healthy. Instantly builds campaigns with A/B tests, auto-pauses risky sends, and reports by inbox, domain, and campaign so teams spot issues fast. A built-in leads database and enrichment are available for list building, but outreach remains email-first.

Pros

• Multi-inbox rotation and automated warmup to protect deliverability
• High-volume sending with rules, throttles, and A/B testing
• Clear reputation dashboards (inbox/domain health, bounce and spam trends)
• Optional B2B leads database and enrichment for faster list creation

Cons

• Email-centric; no native LinkedIn/phone steps
• Light CRM functions; syncing and handoffs usually require another tool
• Shared-data lead sources may need extra verification for accuracy

Pricing

• Growth: from ~$37 per month
• Hypergrowth: from ~$97 per month
• Add-ons for leads/enrichment; mailbox count and daily send limits vary by plan

8. Smartlead

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Agencies and outbound teams that need high-volume cold email with multi-inbox rotation and warmup.

Overview

Smartlead is a cold email platform focused on scale and deliverability. The tool connects unlimited mailboxes, rotates senders automatically, and maintains warmup to protect domain reputation. Dynamic sequences, centralized “master inbox,” and basic enrichment keep campaigns moving while teams monitor inbox, domain, and campaign health. Client workspaces and add-ons make it attractive for agencies running many sends.

Pros

• Unlimited mailboxes with auto-rotation and built-in warmup
• Dynamic sequences with rules, throttles, and A/B testing
• Master inbox for replies across accounts; clear reputation dashboards
• Client workspaces and add-ons suited to agencies

Cons

• Email-first; LinkedIn or phone steps require external tools
• Some integrations and team features sit on higher tiers
• Client add-on fees can raise costs at agency scale

Pricing

• Free trial available
• Basic: from ~$39/month
• Pro: from ~$94/month
• Custom: from ~$174/month (often used by agencies)
• Typical add-ons: ~$29 per client/month; email verification from ~$15/month

9. HubSpot Sales Hub

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Teams that want CRM, sequences, calling, and analytics in one stack; startups to enterprise.

Overview

HubSpot Sales Hub unifies CRM, outreach, and analytics so reps work from a single workspace. AI drafts emails and subject lines, suggests next steps, and summarizes calls. Sequences, tasks, and meeting links keep cadence work organized, while call recording, conversation intelligence, and playbooks support coaching. Managers get pipeline views, forecasting, and granular reporting with tight marketing and service handoffs.

Pros

• Native CRM + sequences + calling reduces tool sprawl
• AI assistance across email drafting, call notes, and follow-ups
• Strong reporting and forecasting with clear pipeline views
• Tight marketing/sales alignment (forms, chat, ads, lifecycle stages)

Cons

• Advanced features often sit behind higher tiers
• Seat minimums on upper tiers increase total cost
• Customization can feel complex without admin time

Pricing

• Starter: from ~$20 per user/month (annual)
• Professional: from ~$100 per user/month (annual), 5-seat minimum, advanced automation and CI
• Enterprise: from ~$150 per user/month (annual), 10-seat minimum, predictive scoring and advanced controls

10. Close

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Startups and SMB sales teams that need built-in calling, SMS, and email sequences in one tool.

Overview

Close is a sales CRM with outreach baked in. Reps call, text, and email from the same workspace, while pipelines and activity timelines keep context tight. Power Dialer and Predictive Dialer accelerate calling blocks, and sequences organize follow-ups so prospects don’t slip. An optional Call Assistant add-on records, transcribes, and summarizes calls, helping managers coach and reps capture next steps without extra admin.

Pros

• Native calling, SMS, and email in one app—fast ramp for lean teams
• Power & Predictive Dialers boost connect rates for high-volume outreach
• Clean pipelines, task queues, and simple sequence building
• Solid reporting for activity, outcomes, and team performance

Cons

• LinkedIn automation is limited; actions are mostly task-based
• Governance and complex workflows are lighter than enterprise suites
• AI call summaries and advanced telephony can add extra costs

Pricing

• Solo (individual): from ~$9/month
• Essentials: $49 per user/month, or $35 billed annually
• Growth: $109 per user/month, or $99 billed annually.
• Scale: $149 per user/month, or $139 billed annually.

11. Clay

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Teams that want deep data enrichment and AI-drafted personalization at scale, with credits-based pricing and unlimited users.

Overview

Clay is a data enrichment and AI personalization workspace for outbound. Teams pull from 100+ providers, scrape the web, and use Claygent/AI to research prospects and draft first lines that reflect real context. Workflows push enriched data to CRMs and email tools, with webhooks and an HTTP API for advanced automations. Governance stays simple with unlimited users per workspace, credit rollovers, and sequencing handled via integrations rather than a native sender.

Pros

• Wide enrichment coverage with web scraping in one workflow
• AI research to draft personalized openers from live context
• Unlimited users on paid tiers; credits roll over
• Strong extensibility: HTTP API, webhooks, CRM and email sequencing integrations

Cons

• Credits can burn quickly on heavy enrichment if workflows aren’t tuned
• No native mail sender; relies on integrations for sequencing and sending
• Learning curve for building robust, multi-source recipes

Pricing

• Free: $0 (100 credits/month; unlimited users)
• Starter: $149/month (or $134/month billed annually) — ~2,000–3,000 credits/month
• Explorer: $349/month (or $314/month billed annually) — 10,000–20,000 credits/month options
• Pro: $800/month (or $720/month billed annually) — tiers from 50,000 up to 150,000 credits/month
• Enterprise: custom credits and features

11 Best AI Outreach Tools: The Final Verdict

👉 Try folk CRM for free

Conclusion

For scalable, AI-driven outreach that lives inside the CRM, folk CRM fits large sales teams, mid-sized teams, startups, and agencies. folkX captures LinkedIn in one click, AI drafts icebreakers and follow-ups, and a unified Gmail/WhatsApp timeline keeps handoffs clean. Sequences, deals, dashboards, and roles support growth without adding tool sprawl.

Apollo suits teams that want B2B data and multichannel sequences in one place, with AI copy help and A/B testing. Close works well for lean teams that rely on built-in calling, SMS, and email, with power/predictive dialers and AI call summaries to keep momentum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AI outreach tool?‍

An AI outreach tool automates prospecting and follow-ups across channels (email, LinkedIn, sometimes WhatsApp). It drafts personalized messages from real context, schedules sends safely, tracks replies, and guides next steps so reps move from first touch to meeting faster.

What is the best AI outreach tool in 2026?‍

For an end-to-end workflow inside the CRM, folk CRM is the top pick for large and mid-size teams, startups, and agencies. It captures LinkedIn in one click, drafts icebreakers and follow-ups, and unifies email/WhatsApp timelines to keep handoffs clean.

How should teams choose an AI outreach tool?‍

Match the tool to your motion and scale: data accuracy and enrichment quality, channels you use (email + LinkedIn tasks, possibly WhatsApp), reviewable AI drafts and next-best actions, deliverability safeguards, CRM integration, and pricing that fits current seats and growth.